MoI campaign against driving distractions
dubai — To ensure all road users are safe, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) — Federal Traffic Council and Traffic Coordination Department — has launched its first traffic campaign this year with the slogan “Don’t be preoccupied while driving”.
The aim of the campaign is to enhance traffic safety in the country and educate community members about wrong behaviours. According to the MoI statistics, preoccupation and distraction while driving such as “negligence and lack of attention” caused 438 accidents, resulting in 59 deaths and 495 injuries in 2018.
The campaign was launched on Thursday at a Press conference in which Major-General Mohammed Saif Al Zafin, chairman of the Federal Traffic Council, pointed out statistics from the MoI’s traffic coordination.
“As many as 88,619 violations were caused due to use of mobile phones, while 4,184 violations was recorded due to other types of distractions. The total number of violations due to distractions has reached 323,102 violations over the last three years. “The campaign comes as part of the ministry’s strategy to achieve traffic safety within the scope of the strategic plan for the traffic sector, which aims to make our roads safer,” he said.
The campaign will include lectures and workshops along with distribution of awareness brochures aimed at enhancing traffic safety. Several activities to be held at commercial centres, gas stations and other public places. Messages will also be highlighted through local media channels and newspapers.
Maj-Gen Al Zafin said the penalties of using the telephone or getting busy while driving is Dh800 and four traffic points.
Ahmed Saleh Al Hajri, CEO of the National Ambulance, said: “We are striving to intensify our efforts to maintain public safety in order to achieve the desired goals.”
Ali Al Kharousi, director of quality, health, safety and environment, and business continuity at the National Ambulance, said ambulance crews in the northern areas are witnessing losses while doing their jobs.